Excessive heat and overcharging are the two main reasons for shortened
battery life. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, this damaging the internal
structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging system,
usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate. That's slow
death for a battery.

True, there are more road service calls in cold weather for dead batteries
that cause starting failure. That's when a battery's output is diminished
because of sluggish electro-chemical action that gives the battery its power.
Also, colder temperatures increase thickness of the engine oil, making the
engine harder to turn over. These factors lead to harder starting.

"An average of one out of four vehicles gets a new battery every year," said
Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "Sooner or later all
batteries have to be replaced, but having to so prematurely can involve more
than the cost of a road service call and a new battery, it can be inconvenient
as well."

To get the most life out of a battery, White suggests the following:

Be sure the electrical system is charging at the correct rate;
overcharging can damage a battery as quickly as undercharging.

If your battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it
regularly, especially in hot weather. Add distilled water when necessary.

Always replace a battery with one that's rated at least as high as the one
originally specified.

Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt becomes a conductor, which drains
battery power. Further, as corrosion accumulates on battery terminals it
becomes an insulator, inhibiting current flow.

Cold Facts About A/C Refrigerant

How did we ever get along without air conditioning in our cars? It's a
feature we take for granted until, suddenly, it's blowing hot air.

In the past few years, many owners have discovered that fixing an inoperative
air conditioner can cost a few hundred dollars or more, depending upon the make
and model of vehicle. The reason is that the old standby R-12 refrigerant, trade
named DuPont Freon, has been replaced by R-134a. Touted as being environmentally
safer than its predecessor, R-134a has been standard since '94.

If your older vehicle needs major repairs to the air conditioning system you
can expect to replace refrigerant and the oil in the compressor in addition to
the old components. You also may need to install a retrofit conversion. Do not
allow anyone to mix refrigerants. They're not inter-changeable. You cannot add
R-134a to your older air conditioner without first flushing the system. Further,
according to the Car Care Council, some substitutes are volatile mixtures of
propane, butane and flammable hydrocarbons. Keep in mind the fact that if your
vehicle is leaking refrigerant, you're damaging the ozone layer.